A few hours later, Lilith was back in her luxurious room in Succubus Village, busy mulling over the words of Micaela again and again.
"I simply want our race to have a chance to build a future they can be proud of."
For a reason, these words had struck a chord deep inside her. She never had been one for thinking out the future beyond developing a strategy to get the prey that made for her current center of interest at the time. Recently, however... something more developed had drawn itself with their lord's idea to develop inns where monsters and humans would indulge themselves in an intimate fashion. It was a large-scale project that would have helped the succubi get themselves a more prevalent place in the world rather than looking like a bunch of scavengers preying on the weak and the reckless. However, that plan itself was so far opposed to the spontaneous nature of succubi that she wondered how the one who thought it out was their Ancestor, Minagi herself.
And now, said leader wouldn't get to direct them or said project any longer, as the other Ancestors had punished her for yet again letting her impulses get in the way. Lilith and her sisters even felt slightly wounded that their lord had left them to go on the road without leaving a last message. The temptation to use the spell taught by the succubus witch was strong, but she wanted first and foremost to respect her lord's decision to be left alone. Meanwhile, Lilith herself had her hands full taking care of both maintaining Succubus Village and making the Chain of Pleasure come to life. She took care of the former if only by respect for the dead mayor who had only wanted to make sure her kin had a fallback point while still trying to push them to groom their potential. That succubus could have been the leader the race needed in this time. Granted, the current queen had stepped up while Lilith and her sisters decided to behave as well. Even then, however, he reign over succubi was chaotic at best: Alma Elma was simply making an effort to keep conflicts within the species at a minimum, and said conflict often directly involved the Lilith Sisters.
Lilith shook her head. She was still too uncertain about her own place in this world to do more than what she was currently doing to help the race. And besides, did her fellows needed or wanted more? They themselves were just like she was in old time, wanting nothing more than to indulge in their next meals.
A future to be proud of…
The pride of succubi had always been in being able to seduce anyone they wanted to lure them to the single most pleasant, often fatal experience that could exist on this world. And she herself used to take pride in these skills. Now, however… Only the scum and the desperate ones were looking for their death between the thighs of a succubus, and killing people was frowned upon in the first place. The succubus had even started to take a measure of liking for all those people who had stood up to their goddess not so long ago.
Lilith took a moment to consider what other races were proud of. These could be brought down to two factors: their strength, and what they built through history. Lilith sighed. In that regard, the succubi hadn't built much, and while the race counted a solid number of strong individuals, most members remained unremarkable. Alma Elma and that succubus witch did push people to train, but the lack of information about their results was currently damning.
The succubus descended to the common room of the mayoral house. Alma Elma was discussing with Mariel about more details for the love hotels, and Lilith only distractedly followed their conversation until she saw a sour-looking succubus climb from the basement before leaving without a word, slamming the door on her way out to everyone's surprise. The next instant, she saw Witch climb up the stairs with a large volume in her hands and a defeated expression on her face. She slowly seated herself and positioned the book in front of her before making a declaration in a moribund voice.
"…My last trainee gave up. I was too harsh on her."
Lilith frowned. "Were you actually too harsh, or was she missing the rigor to train in the magical arts?"
The succubus soothsayer shrugged. "I don't know. It doesn't matter much in any case. They're not interested in developing their potential in that direction."
Alma Elma sighed. "I don't have much luck on my side either… I only have three trainees left, and only one of them is likely to carry through until the end of the month."
"Did we get any new from the twins since then?"
Witch shook her head negatively. "They've been sighted in Sabasa. They tried hitting on the king. They got turned away with extreme prejudice if what I heard is right."
Lilith inwardly smirked. At least, Astaroth was not the only one who suffered a debacle in her dealings with the man…
"I hope they won't compromise our development there…" Mariel sounded surprisingly venomous. For a young angel that had only been recently brought in the dream project of a succubus that nearly ruined her day, she was surprisingly supportive. "In the meantime, the development in San Ilia is coming along nicely. I think lady Astaroth is currently overseeing the details with the king, although I didn't have any confirmation myself."
Lilith giggled. "There's no need to be so formal… But yes, my sister is currently negotiating the fine details with the newly-minted pope. And before you ask, she's aware enough of what is at stake to be on her best behavior. I don't expect her to do anything stupid such as sucking dry clergymen or even seduce anyone."
Alma Elma grinned. "And what if one of those clergymen offered themselves to her?"
"I… She's reliable enough to not bite the first bait presenting itself."
"…You don't sound as convinced as I expected you to."
"I will be honest, I ironically did not quite consider the idea that clergymen would hit on her in spite of the fact that their growing interest in physical relations with monsters is the reason this project is carrying through at such a high speed… In fact, I am now wondering whether or not the pope himself has such motivation. Else why would he accept a close daughter of the demon that killed his predecessor?"
"He would do it out of goodwill." Mariel gave out an illuminating smile. "He did say that he would even forgive your Ancestor in his introductory speech. I have no doubt that he will even accept her when she comes back."
"With all due respect, dear little angel, it is one thing to make promises and another to hold on to them in front of peer pressure." Lilith contemptuously glanced at Mariel.
"The same peer pressure that pushed him to accelerate this project in the first place?"
Lilith humbly looked down. That small angel was fully right, and she had quite some spirit to stand up to her like that. Still, after what happened to his predecessor, she doubted that the man would throw himself in the arm of the first succubus around…
Why. The Fuck. Did I. Say YES?
Astaroth was currently trying to keep a lid on her impulses as she remembered the events of the day. Even before the negotiations, the king had insisted that the succubus representative was to show up in her usual attire. Even if it fitted her as she wasn't one for formalities, she had been slightly concerned that her fully displayed nature would cause problems amongst the still-devoted crowd within the holy city.
However, the negotiations with the king and his close circle had gone surprisingly smoothly, as the shrewd man had apparently kept track of each time someone got caught indulging in the pleasure of the flesh or staring at the exposed chest of the succubus to bring it up each time someone expressed their distaste to their lord's Chain of Pleasures. The result was instant, and the opposition fell silent one by one. Astaroth was amused in hindsight when she realized the pope had so brazenly and effectively used her own looks to get the result he wanted faster.
The second issue the king expressed, and this time it was personally face-to-face when the two of them were alone, was that monsters would let their urges get the better of them and be way more forward in their seduction as the only thing they were missing until now was a place to appreciate that moment in peace. Astaroth herself had initially laughed it off and said that even without any form of seduction, the only reasons that humans weren't looking for the company of monsters was social stigma. The king acknowledged the point, and decided to challenge her to a simple contest of will: Both of them would sleep in the same bed, and if he gave in to his urges, he would personally endorse the project, while if she used her monstrous skills to seduce him, then the succubus would have to take full responsibility on the matter of educating monsters on the issue.
The succubus had agreed with a smirk, as she imagined herself easily winning the challenge since the king had made his interest in her always-displayed chest a little too obvious. She even thought that he would jump her in the first minute.
…Except it was now slightly past midnight. The succubus herself was growing incredibly frustrated and had turned in the opposite way in an attempt to keep him away from her mind, but his scent of purity mixing with sexual frustration was making him smell utterly delicious, and she was forced to fasten her tail under her leg lest she would find the rebellious limb snaking toward him or her own crotch.
I can't give in… I must not give in… I'm a legendary succubus, not a lowly nymphomaniac! I am the one in control!
She felt the pope reposition himself. At least, he was suffering the same difficulties as her… She regretted the presence of her monstrous sense that kept repeating her that a delicious meal was within reach and was more than eagerly waiting to be devoured. In the past, her instinct had been a boon as she could trivially hunt down an angel that had concealed her identity in a large city. Right now, however, she only wanted it to shut down and let her sleep.
She closed her eyes and considered putting herself in a magical sleep, but her pride refused to let her do so: the man had challenged her, and she accepted. She wasn't Tamamo, and wouldn't use the easy workaround available to her, as tempting as it was. As a result, she could only endure her ever rising desire.
She looked at the clock again. Only a few minutes had passed, and there was no end in sight to the challenge. The succubus tossed and turned a few more times, but it wasn't enough to even calm her down in the slightest. She eventually decided to take a small peek at the holy man out of curiosity to see how he was faring in his own trial.
The pope himself had his eyes utterly fixated on the ceiling, as if his life was depending on it. He slowly turned his face toward her, and she could see a mad desire on his face. In fact, she could tell that it was the same lust burning through her body.
In a split second, the two of them tacitly agreed to drop their ongoing bet.
"In any case, she said that she would be back tomorrow."
Alma Elma nodded in agreement. "Very well then… If nobody minds, I will take the remainder of the night to appreciate the local hospitality." The succubus queen lecherously licked her lips, making her message obvious.
The elder of the Lilith Sisters smirked and allowed herself to relax as Mariel and Witch both left not long after. She suspected that the succubus queen mostly stood close by to keep an eye on her and her sisters, but she didn't care much. She decided to go for a stroll in the streets of the village. The moon was hight as the streets were still filled with people enjoying the company of one another. Even if the sight was reassuring, something made her feel uncomfortable. In a smooth motion, she elegantly took off and glided to the roof of the large rebuilt town hall that made for their house to have a better sight of the whole settlement. There wasn't anything unusual to spot. After a few minutes of examining the streets, Lilith acknowledged that she failed to clear her head of Micaela's words. Those seemed particularly insistent in their torment.
I simply want our race to have a chance to build a future they can be proud of.
What do I want to be proud of?
What do I have to be proud of?
When we returned I wanted to show that we were the ones who would take on the Monster Lord and the last hero of Ilias. The greatest power in the world... We failed.
I did try to claim the title of Succubus Queen when we attacked San Ilia, and I also failed.
Besides, would it have even mattered? They don't listen to Alma Elma in the first place, they barely listen to me just as well. The title doesn't mean anything.
…I did save the village from Kagetsumugi. My greatest accomplishment is saving a village of hedonistic sluts from a weak puppeteer whose sole reason for her success was that everyone was busier with the mess we put up ourselves.
The remainder of the accomplishment of the succubus race takes the form of a large pile of desiccated bodies.
In the meantime Tamamo and her kitsunes can say that they kept the bloodline of the Dark Goddess alive for centuries. She even kickstarted a few technological revolutions.
Saja's dragons will remain the most powerful race. The one that fills the most book with their legends.
Even if the slime race has been pushed at the brink of extinction, they're now the lead experts on environmental problems and everyone is glad to see the world looking better bit by bit.
The alraunes are the best healers in this world even if Kanon is sulking in her corner. The current queen reconciled her species with the insects.
And scylla servants are omnipresent while Hiruko herself is spearheading the chimera development and technological research.
…This world is doing good, and in no part thanks to us. That succubus queen told us that she stepped up because we nearly ruined what little the other succubi built.
…For what they even built in the first place. At least, she can say that she fought Ilias…
…Our return changed her more than fighting that damn goddess that kept attempting to ruin the existence of monsters...This is more painful than I thought, but there's more to it…
…She's doing it because she wants to help the Monster Lord...Like all succubi in modern time she owes more to the hero and the Monster Lord than to us or even our Ancestor…
…And we nearly showed them that they were right to do so… Repeatedly…
Lilith remained alone on the roof for several hours, the sky turning from a nightly blue to the redish hue of dawn as she was lost in contemplation. The sun was starting to show up when she finally noticed that Alma Elma had joined her.
"Already done with your partner? I hope we won't have another body to clean from the street…"
"Don't worry, I can eat them…" She smirked and showed her tail opening. "Although I stopped a few months ago by respect for the Monster Lord and the hero…"
The duo remained silent on the roof, Lilith enjoying the sight of the rising sun while Alma Elma was trying to guess the mood of her elder before hazarding a guess.
"Worried for Minagi?"
"Sort of… But I guess it would be more accurate that I am currently wondering about our current place in this world… we've always been seducing humans and doing what we wanted when we wanted, without a care in the world for what we left behind and… You went through the same questioning a few months ago, isn't it?"
Alma Elma answered with a giggle and revealed a bottle of Noah wine with two glasses from under her cape. She proceeded to server both of them as she sat herself besides her elder.
"I guess that yes, I went through the same feeling not so long ago… The question is what are you going to do about it?"
Lilith took a sip of her wine before answering. The beverage was richly flavored, but also slightly bitter. "Allow me to return you the question… I might have taken responsibility of leading the largest settlement, but you do remain our queen and leader, don't you? The title always belonged to you, and you did beat me fair and square."
Alma Elma shrugged back. She didn't actually know herself what she could do. Trying to do as Witch suggested and incite volunteers to train had yielded more than mediocre results considering the effort she had spent in pushing them forward. Everything succubi did was to first and foremost indulge themselves in the pleasure of the flesh. The most she could do was letting them do it.
"I'll let everyone do as they wish and try to remain an example in all aspects… The peak succubus everyone aspires to be martially, magically, and of course sexually."
"Really? When I see how the other queens lead their races… It is a bit… lax, don't you think? When I see the achievements other races can pretend to today… I started thinking that if we work united as a race, we would have something to be proud of too beyond our abilities to get it on with anything and anyone."
Alma Elma stretched and sensually moaned. "Like we attempted with our training or our Ancestor's Chain of Pleasures? If it wasn't for us, neither of those ideas would have been entertained by our kin."
"…I see what you mean… I'm still disappointed by the place we have today in this new world… There's not quite a lot to be proud of…"
Lilith repositioned herself, her feet waving in the air as she once again stared at the illuminated sky while her tail swung around.
"With all my respect, Lilith…"
"Mmmh?"
"Were you talking about the achievement of our race, or yours specifically?"
Lilith entirely froze up. Of course, even moreso than other succubi, she was thinking about her own place and the one of her sisters in this world. The present succubus queen had been part of the hero's team when they took down the Goddess of Light and held up against the Ancestors, while the only thing she did was attempting to ruin everything for her own pleasure.
Which was exactly what a succubus used to be about.
It was no wonder that the current queen wanted to separate herself from that image.
"…I guess I'm more concerned about me and my sisters than I want to admit. We're getting so much offered in a platter, but it feels so wrong to get everything when I only harvest the results of the efforts of other people…" Lilith frowned. "I don't want to rely on other people when I can do it."
"Awww…" Alma Elma got up and playfully flicked the nose of her elder. "You did show off that little puppeteer back a few weeks ago, and you are carrying your mother's project, aren't you? You can't do everything by yourself!" She giggled. "You remind me of little Luka-boy in that regard… I could tell he was quite disappointed to give up on the right to lead Remina and when we told him he couldn't always be the one to save everyone… But even then, the reason all those people are doing so well today is because he kept doing his best, soooo… Why don't we just try doing our best to make those dreams come true?"
Lilith smirked. That speech was a little cutesy, but the succubus queen had made several good points. If her sisters and herself kept on going in this direction, they would be able to build themselves solid reputations from the ground up, and maybe even become once again known as legendary succubi for good reasons.
"Well, thank you for your company… Now if you don't mind, I'm getting a bit peckish this morning… Even if most of them are still sleeping, I'm sure one of them is eagerly hoping for me."
"Knock yourself out! And say hi to your sisters from me!"
As Alma Elma flew off, Lilith let herself slide from the roof before landing on her feet with a feline posture. She was silently strolling through the streets, attracting desiring yet fearful gazes. The succubus still enjoyed playing mind games with her partners, even if she had been careful to not take a single life since she took the lead of the village. She wanted to keep her reputation as a dangerous succubus. Their ambivalent emotions made her meals all the tastier.
She enjoyed the effect of her presence on the residents of the village. Men were on the starting block ready to rush her should she beckon them to come closer. Women were either glaring or throwing envying looks at her. So many partners to choose from… She just had to make her pick.
However, no matter how much she wanted to deny it, she was still concerned about her lord Minagi. She didn't even find it in her to hold a grudge against Tamamo for sealing her mother's power and respecting her whim: the kitsune had simply taken an action she judged adapted to deal with the one that had ended up going again and again the Monster Lord, all within her right. Minagi had even left in silence and deliberately kept the Lilith Sisters unaware of her decision to make sure that they wouldn't suffer the fallout of being torn between their loyalties to their lord and their responsibilities as the defeated.
Before she noticed it, Lilith was making her way back to her room alone. She decided to give in to her concern. There would be no harm in simply checking on their mother, would it? The succubus closed her door and sat on her bed before casting the same spell that she had used not so long ago to find out about Astaroth. She felt relieved when she perceived breathing, even if she couldn't see anything yet. Nothing indicated that her mother had been hurt. She focused on her surroundings in an attempt to find out where she was. However, the spell suddenly completely stopped working, the feedback stunning her as her senses brutally returned to her. She grimaced in pain as she tried to gather her bearings. The only thing she could feel was a hot liquid pouring on her face from her nose. Healing herself took no effort, although she groaned when she noticed that her sweater was now stained with her blood.
Still, the message was clear. Minagi wanted to be alone. She probably asked Tamamo to have a counterspell at the ready as she couldn't repel an intrusion like that with her weakened power, and the kitsune had forgotten to warn them…
That could only be it. Only the kitsune had that level of power and knew about their lord…
"Soooo… superb succubus or ugly wench?"
"Ugly wench I bet… No succubus would hide herself like that…"
Minagi was currently wallowed on one of the few tables in what was the only tavern-general store-inn present in this no-name village located in the northeastern part of the Safina Region. The succubus had spent most of her days since her release meditating and fasting in the arid desert in an attempt to gain some measure of insight over her own actions. She had only entered this village because of an approaching sandstorm, and even then she had used a large concealing cloak to hide herself. Her only other belonging was a backpack that included some basic necessities and other souvenirs, as she could no longer even use her usual pocket dimension to store her possessions.
As much as she wanted to deny it herself, being disgraced like that by her sisters had wounded her deeply. She had expected to enter in conflict with Tamamo and had planned accordingly, but having both Kanade and Saja decry her actions somehow ended up bringing memories of the Great Monster and how Ilias had kept making her hatred for succubi a goal known by everyone. The stubborn focus of the Goddess on the succubus had been a boon exploited by her sisters who could easily exploit that weakness through their strategies, while her own behavior had often been a liability when it came to building relations or even fighting. And for the first time since she was born she reflected on her own actions.
Sexual pleasure had always been everything in her life: A joy to share, a weapon to weaken and dominate the other and of course a goal in itself. Even her skills in martial arts and magic had been developed with the sole goal of getting her hands on her prey and bring them at her mercy in throes of pleasure. Naturally, she had always taken pride in her depraved games that saw the deaths of so many humans, monsters and angels through her long life, and while her sisters had periodically made a fuss about the resulting mess, they had indulged themselves just as much and appreciated her skills as well.
And now, three of them had made their distaste openly known. Another had completely disappeared in her own corner and would certainly not appreciate her company, while the last one was happily doing what she appreciated the most, even if she was supervised.
I could have done just like Hiruko, have my fun within the limit of what everyone else consider acceptable… This had even been a part of my plan from the start with the Chains of Pleasures… But I wanted more… I want him to be mine.
Her mind drifted toward Luka, the husband of the Monster Lord. A hero that was also the son of the Daystar would have been the most delicious meal she could have ever dreamt of. She even felt her body react in anticipation each time she thought of him. Of course, a part of her uncontrollable desire had to do with the fact that he was something of a forbidden fruit: Even without considering the fact that he resisted her (which by itself was a reason enough for her to want to bed him more than anyone else), everybody made their best to make him off-limit to her. She did want to lay with the hero to show everyone that nobody was safe from her.
And now, nobody can get him… If Tamamo had kept an eye on Kagetsumugi instead of me and my cute little daughters, she could have avoided that. It's her own responsibility for trusting someone that descended from an idiot who served the insane Monster Lord that turned on the Dark Goddess.
…No, I have a responsibility as well. I didn't do anything to earn their trust and instead showed repeatedly that I was ready to screw them up to screw the hero. It is even why the Monster Lord and her allies were prepared against us in the first place. Me and my cute little daughters wrecking havoc is how Tamamo got aware and warned the Monster Lord in the first place. I'm the reason they were ready.
…Kanon better never know anything about it. She would have been my closest ally if I didn't mock her back then. That was a huge blunder.
And this is why they're keeping me out of their plans to save him now…
Lost in her contemplation, Minagi only noticed that a new traveler had entered the store when the latter was discussing with the clerk at the counter. She was so unremarkable the succubus didn't note her features beyond her long coat and brown hair.
"The Legend of the Hero Luka is sold out here as well? I heard that a new lot had been printed recently and could be found here."
"It's true… But we didn't get many copies here, and the new version has additional illustrations drawn by a famous artist named Fir'Almo. There are some people that exchange or sell their old version for cheap, you should try to get one that way."
The traveler sighed, resigned. "It looks like my information is already obsolete… Thank you. I will look elsewhere."
Minagi felt reached by an impulse of generosity toward this stranger. She opened her backpack and held out her copy.
"You can have mine if you want. I already read it."
"You have my most sincere gratefulness." The stranger gave a grateful smile. The succubus could swear that her smile turned into a shocked expression for a moment, but her dulled senses couldn't tell her anything more about her current interlocutor. She also felt a presence in the back of her mind that was instantly chased away.
"…This is quite the coincidence." Minagi felt a small shiver run up her spine. Something in that woman's manner was familiar, and not understanding exactly what it was aggravated the succubus to no end. She groaned and turned away in hope of escaping her gaze.
"It looks like you are in dire straight… May I lend you an ear?"
What's with the antiquated linguistics? Is she actually an angel in disguise? I just want her off my back.
…I have a horrible feeling about her. Let's make a good figure.
Minagi invited the traveler to sit as she started telling her tale.
"I had a small familial dispute after having abused the trust of my sisters one too many time. They made their distaste for my manners quite clear as they kicked me out of their house, and I decided to travel the world while taking their words in consideration."
"This is surprising... Your sisters ganged up on you, yet you do not seem to hold a grudge against them. Is there a reason as to why so?"
The succubus closed her eyes and decided to be forward. There was something in that stranger that pushed her to say everything. She felt like child in front of her mother. "I might have hidden some information to pass my selfish desires as actions done for the common good. They didn't enjoy that, to say the least."
The stranger chuckled. "I would be surprised if your sisters never did as much in the past…"
Minagi sighed. "This is where the difference lies. Most of them have turned a page and want nothing more than to turn a page. I…" the succubus hesitated to give more details about herself. She settled on the most vague explanation she could give. "I have a stubborn nature and have more difficulties moving on. I guess this is what got me pushed away."
This time, the shock of her interlocutor didn't escape Minagi. The latter had slightly repositioned herself, clearly uncomfortable with what the succubus just said.
"I… see… my apologies, but it does not look like I can provide you any assistance right now. I shall return on my way… Farewell."
Minagi distractedly waved when the stranger got up and left. She was both relieved to see that traveler leave and disappointed by her departing so soon.
What was that just now? Even without my power, I should be able to understand and interpret anyone, but this one was as clear as charcoal… I mean she seemed to know about be and my sisters, but otherwise, I can only say that she's old because of the way she speaks.
It's probably one of those ancient angels. If Micaela or one of the more fanatical angels decided to get me killed, they'll know where I am. I better leave as soon as this sandstorm is over.
…Wait a minute. Did she just go out like that right now?
Ignoring the sandstorm that was striking around her, Alipheese slowly walked across the dunes within Sabasa, thinking about her exchanges with Minagi. She hadn't expected her conversation with the succubus to be so downcast. Maybe she could ask Tamamo and Saja to be less harsh toward their sister… She had her own share of responsibility for making the succubus what she was.
No. She had to stay out of this. Until she fully understood the ins and outs of this world, she would simply remain one of its more common, unremarkable inhabitants. And, most of all, maybe sharing their burden would finally teach the succubus and herself the responsibility they had toward everyone else. She wouldn't descend to the level of Ilias and lord over everyone.
Still, that coincidence surprised her. She hadn't expected to find Minagi, of all people, in this remote location. Did that strange lamia deliberately indicated her that village for this very reason?
Alipheese shook her head. It was impossible. That monster was quite smart, but shamelessly self-serving as well. She would have no interest in the Ancestor of succubi if she couldn't get something out of it. It was better to write that one as a coincidence. That world was quite small, after all. The probability that she would end up running into one of the Ancestor or another important monster during her peregrinations was pretty high. Maybe she would even end up meeting Hiruko before reaching Sabasa…
"Mmmh? What's that?"
An unusual signature attracted her attention. The tempest conveniently calmed down when she reached its source. Even if she only directly saw it once, she instantly recognized the one-of-a-kind weapon. Angel Halo was lying half buried in a small dune right in front of her.
"What's that doing here? The son of the Daystar always carried that thing with him…"
The Dark Goddess analyzed the item. An ugly weapon, forged by a rebelling hero through pain and hatred in the blood of the ones under the goddess that had played him like a fiddle, to finally become one of the ultimate tool used to build coexistence…
She remained at a distance from the item and considered her next move. Did something happen to the hero for the weapon to land here?
Mmmh… Maybe I could bring it back to show Tamamo I willing to mend my relation with her?
No, it's way too early for the Dark Goddess to resurface again. I'll just send them a magic missive and go on my way. …Like that… And now, I'm off.
Alipheese was already far away when an army of monsters arrived to scour the place.
Author's note: The Astaroth bit was inspired by a story about Robert D'Arbrissel if anyone's wondering about the source. I am not that creative.
Yes, a holy man did pretty much THAT. It's ambiguous if he gave in or not.